Baggage lift for motels

ABSTRACT

A lift for guests&#39;&#39; baggage embodied within a framework alongside a multiple-storied lodging structure to permit the guest to on load luggage at ground level and off load from one of the structures exterior elevated walkways. A baggage carrier is movable within the framework into positions opposite openings in the framework wall structure for loading and unloading of the luggage and is of restricted internal area to prevent entry of persons into the carrier.

United States Patent J ines 1 June 28, 1974 BAGGAGE LIFT FOR MOTELS [76] Inventor: Chester G. Jines, 320 SW. Ln. No.

7, Portland, Oreg. 97202 [22] Filed: Oct. 19, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 299,149

[52] US. Cl. 187/3, 187/6 [51] Int. Cl B66b 9/00 [58] Field of Search 187/6, 9-12, 187/2, 27, 3, l, 17,20;254/151, 142, 145; 52/30; 182/42, 43, 142

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,853,086 4/1932 Scannell 187/2 X 1,867,568 7/1932 Hirshfeld..... 2,190,330 2/1940 Martine 187/1 R X 3/1945 Burton 187/3 X 8/1961 Olson 187/3 Primary Examiner-Even C. Blunk Assistant Examiner-lames L. Rowland Attorney, Agent, or Firm-James D. Givnan, Jr.

[ 5 7] ABSTRACT A lift for guests baggage embodied within a framework alongside a multiple-storied lodging structure to permit the guest to on load luggage at ground level and off load from one of the structures exterior elevated walkways. A baggage carrier is movable within the framework into positions opposite openings in the framework wall structure for loading and unloading of the luggage and is of restricted internal area to prevent entry of persons into the carrier.

2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 1 BAGGAGE LIFT FOR MOTELS BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a lift structure for placement adjacent a lodging structure such as a motel for the carrying of guests baggage.

Of recent years two and three story motel structures have become common in distinction to the earlier, single story motels where the guest could park directly in front of his motel unit. The convenience of being able to park in front of the motel room was an important feature to the popularity of motels for the reason the guest could easily unload and load his own baggage directly from his auto to the room.

Multiple story motels, now common, present an inconvenience to the traveler by reason of the fact the guest must hand carry his own luggage up and down stairways. Where several pieces of luggage are concemed more than one trip is often necessary. While some motels have elevators, the guest is still required to transport his luggage into the lobby, into the elevator and from the elevator to the room; Since most modern motels are large structures with each story of considerably square footage the walk can be a substantial distance to and from the centrally located elevator.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention is embodied within an elevator structure for placement exteriorly adjacent a multiple story motel building for the lifting of baggage from ground level to the second or higher stories of the building.

While elevators are common within motels and hotels, the same are a costly addition to such frame structures. Further, in motels, which conventionally are of large square footage structures a centrally located elevator is impractical. Practically speaking, in two or more story motels, guests with baggage must utilize stairways.

The present invention concerns an elevator structure serving as a baggage lift which is self-contained and free standing from the motel structure. The elevator structure includes an upright framework for placement immediately in front of the motel, as for example, in the parking area where it is highly accessible to the autos of arriving and departing guests. A baggage carrier is entrained within the framework for travel along same to the story selected with both access to the interior of the carrier and its internal area being restricted. Liability of the motel owner is accordingly reduced. An elevator drive assembly is located within the framework base and includes a powered winch with a cable run passing through the carrier. Suitable controls on opposite sides of the carrier enable the guest to select the story desired as well as enabling a departing guest to signal for the carrier.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a baggage lift for motel structures without costly alteration or original installation within the motel structure. Rather, the present elevator is installed adjacent the motel building with no costly alterations to said building being required. Since the elevator is detached from the building structure and does not carry persons, the structure is not subject to costly manufacturing, inspections and certification by local agencies to the same extent applicable to conventional elevators.

A further important feature is that guests are provided a convenient means for transferring luggage from their auto directly onto the baggage carrier. Accordingly, walking up stairs with luggage or to a centrally located elevator is obviated.

Additional objects of the invention include the provision of a baggage lift or elevator extremely quiet in operation by reason of it being isolated or free standing from the building structure which prevents the tele graphing of noise to the motel building. Since the bag gage elevator will be unattended, it is a present object of the invention to restrict access to the elevator and the baggage carrier to preclude entry by young children. Further safety features are provided by reason of excess clearance between moving and stationary com ponents and access doors if required by local elevator codes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a baggage lift of low original cost to permit multiple use of like baggage lifts at spaced-apart locations at a single motel to conveniently serve all motel guests. Further,

the lift provided is of uncomplicated design having a high degree of reliability.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present baggage elevator in place serving a two-story motel,

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a loaded baggage carrier with the framework sectioned for purposes of illustration,

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken downwardly along line 33 of FIG. 2 showing the elevator drive arrangement, and

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the upper portion of the elevator with the baggage carrier in an elevated position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With continuing reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein applied reference numerals indicate parts similarly identified in the following specification, the reference numeral 10 indicates generally the elevator structure embodying the present invention disposed adjacent a motel structure. While shown located in a motel parking area, the present elevator structure is not limited to such a location but rather is suitable for use in any area adjacent a multiple story motel wherein one side of the elevator structure is directly accessible from a common, exterior walkway 11 of a second story of the motel. While a two-story motel structure is shown, the present invention is equally applicable to structures having additional stories.

The structure 10 is independent or free standing from the motel building resulting in its placement subsequent relocation without alteration of the motel structure. Further, as earlier noted, the present elevator structure avoids costly construction attendant the incorporation of a conventional elevator within a motel building.

With joint attention to FIGS. 2 and 3, the elevator structure 10 comprises a framework of upright elongate angular frame members 12 quadrilaterally disposed and terminating downwardly in securement with a base 13 which in turn is suitably secured to the ground surface. Interconnecting the upper ends of members 12 are frame members 14 which, along with said frame members, support a roof closure 15. The framework above described may be of welded steel construction to provide a rigid frame for secured placement on a ground surface in either a permanent or nonpermanent manner. Closing the framework (except as later noted) and extending between frame members 12 are opposite planar wall members 16 which, for aesthetic purposes, may be of attractive metal mesh or grillwork. Lower and upper openings in the walls 16 are indicated at 16A and 16B.

Spaced interiorly from the frame members 12 and the planar wall material 16 is a baggage carrier indicated generally at 17. Importantly, the outer confines of said carrier are inwardly spaced a distance to avoid reduced clearances which could be the source of personal injury during carrier travel. Additional safety features will be later described. With continuing reference to baggage carrier 17, the same comprises a rectangular, open, box-like structure defined by top and bottom wall structures 18 and 19 with end walls 20 extending therebetween, all defining an internal baggage receiv ing area A. Each of said walls is of rigid construction to provide a carrier not susceptible to distortion under a typical baggage load.

Mounted adjacent each of the upper and lower corners of the carrier and extending outwardly therefrom are pairs of rollers 21 suitably mounted to the end walls 20 and to front and rear surface areas 22 and 23 of the carrier whereby the carrier is adapted for lengthwise rolling engagement with the interior surfaces of the four frame members 12 while spaced therefrom and from wall material 16 as viewed in FIG. 3 for purposes of safety. For purposes of noise abatement such rollers may be of a resilient material and include skirts or guards to substantially enclose the rollers.

With continuing attention to carrier 17, the access to same is restricted by barrier means 24 for the purpose of discouraging the use of the carrier for any purposes other than as a baggage lift. The barrier means disclosed is in the form of multiple depending partitions which separate the inner area of the carrier into spaces extending therethrough suited for the reception of various sizes and shapes of baggage and other paraphernalia carried by travelers. The partitions so disposed prohibit the improper entry of persons into the carrier. Further toward this end in its lowermost position of rest the carrier is at a height not accessible to young children, while at an elevated position an expanse of wall material 16 closes the framework off from children on walkway 11.

The baggage carrier is powered upwardly by means of a length of cable entrained over a pulley wheel 26 at the upper end of the framework and having runs A and 258. The cable is carried by a drum 27 from which it is payed out or retrieved past a roller 30 from whence it extends upwardly through the carrier via a tubular housing 31. The upward run of cable is reversed by passage of pulley 26 with the downwardly extending run terminating in central securement with the upper wall 18 of the carrier. Movement is imparted to cable drum 27 by means of a reversible electric motor 32 driving through a speed reducer unit 33 having right angularly disposed input and output shafts, all within a stationary housing 29.

Mounted on the front and rear surface areas 22 and 23 on one of the partitions 24 are panels 34 bearing suitable switch controls for motor 32, said controls including floor selectors in circuit with limit switches 35 and 36 on frame members 12. Such circuitry is well known by those in that art and requires no further elaboration. Accordingly, in a typical installation limit switch 36 would, upon actuation by contact with the baggage carrier 17, interrupt motor operation, stopping said carrier at the raised position in FIG. 4. The operation of limit switch 35 results in stopping the baggage carrier at its lowermost position shown in FIG. 2.

The operation of the present baggage lift is believed to be apparent from the foregoing description. The structure is located at a highly accessible location to permit placement of luggage directly onto the carrier from the guests automobile. The barrier partition 24 on the carrier discourages improper use of same. Fur ther for purposes of safety, the baggage carrier is internally spaced from stationary elevator components to avoid dangerous restricted clearances. As best viewed in FIG. 4, the wall surface opening 168 is located a desired distance upwardly from the walkway surface 11, for purposes of safety as well as for positioning of the luggage at a convenient height for removal from the carrier.

While I have shown but one embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied still otherwise without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be secured under a Letters Patent is:

l. A free standing baggage lift for positioning adjacent a multiple storied lodging structure such as a motel of the type having exterior walkways, said baggage lift comprising,

a base in securement with a ground surface,

an upright framework supported by said base in a free standing manner for placement closely alongside the lodging structure, wall means closing off the interior of said framework and defining openings through which baggage may be passed, one of said wall openings provided for each story of the lodging structure with those openings for the above ground level stories being disposed adjacent an exterior walkway of the structure,

a baggage carrier including top, bottom and end walls defining an open area extending transversely of the carrier, upright partitions horizontally spaced from one another and extending inwardly into said open area to restrict the internal area of said carrier to the reception of suitcases and the like, pairs of rollers located at the upper and lower corners of said carrier for roller guided travel along said framework from a position near ground level to a raised position opposite one of said wall openings whereby luggage loaded into the carrier from one side may be retrieved from the opposite side from one of the lodging structure walkways, said rollers confining said carrier against lateral swaying motion,

means for powering said carrier including a motor driven winch and entrained cable, and

control means for said carrier power means for positioning of the carrier at pre-selected locations.

2. The baggage lift as claimed in claim 1 wherein said upright partitions terminate in spaced relationship to an adjacent wall of the carrier. 

1. A free standing baggage lift for positioning adjacent a multiple storied lodging structure such as a motel of the type having exterior walkways, said baggage lift comprising, a base in securement with a ground surface, an upright framework supported by said base in a free standing manner for placement closely alongside the lodging structure, wall means closing off the interior of said framework and defining openings through which baggage may be passed, one of said wall openings provided for each story of the lodging structure with those openings for the above ground level stories being disposed adjacent an exterior walkway of the structure, a baggage carrier including top, bottom and end walls defining an open area extending transversely of the carrier, upright partitions horizontally spaced from one another and extending inwardly into said open area to restrict the internal area of said carrier to the reception of suitcases and the like, pairs of rollers located at the upper and lower corners of said carrier for roller guided travel along said framework from a position near ground level to a raised position opposite one of said wall openings whereby luggage loaded into the carrier from one side may be retrieved from the opposite side from one of the lodging structure walkways, said rollers confining said carrier against lateral swaying motion, means for powering said carrier including a motor driven winch and entrained cable, and control means for said carrier power means for positioning of the carrier at pre-selected locations.
 2. The baggage lift as claimed in claim 1 wherein said upright partitions terminate in spaced relationship to an adjacent wall of the carrier. 